Athletic Brewing Company Contributes $2 Million to Outdoor Conservation and Restoration Efforts

Athletic Brewing Company, the largest non-alcoholic beer producer in America, has just announced a remarkable achievement: a $2 million contribution aimed at protecting and restoring over 170 outdoor spaces worldwide. This generous donation is part of their Two For The Trails grant program, which was established as a fundamental principle of the company's mission in 2018. It's noteworthy as it marks the most substantial annual donation in the history of the program and reflects the brewery's long-standing dedication to environmental stewardship.

Impact on Outdoor Spaces

The funds are set to significantly aid in multiple restoration projects across the globe, with $250,000 specifically allocated to support long-term recovery efforts in Florida and North Carolina, which were recently devastated by hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Two For The Trails initiative is distinguished as the largest environmental grant program within the craft brewing industry, demonstrating Athletic's impressive impact. To date, they have allocated nearly $6.2 million through this program, benefitting over 700 projects across the U.S., United Kingdom, and Canada.

Athletic Brewing's contribution for 2024 is projected to impact approximately 63 million outdoor enthusiasts and trail users, providing benefits to more than 4,000 miles of trails and 530,000 acres of open space. This underscores the company's belief that outdoor enjoyment should be accessible to everyone and represent their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Noteworthy Projects Supported

Among the significant projects being funded through this year's donation is support for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's (ATC) Resiliency Fund, which aims to repair damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene, a catastrophic event in the Appalachian Trail’s 100-year history. This funding will aid in enhancing A.T. infrastructure and community landscapes, ensuring safety and resilience for the outdoor community.

Additionally, funding from the Two For The Trails program will help enhance trails in the immediate neighborhoods of Athletic's breweries located in Connecticut and San Diego. Collaborating with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the funding will focus on adapting trails for increased accessibility for individuals with disabilities. In San Diego, funds will be applied to restore areas eroded from heavy rainfall, incorporating sustainable practices like water bars to combat future water damage.

A Mission of Growth

For Athletic Brewing, this isn’t just an increase in financial contributions; it represents a surge in their commitment to providing sustainable solutions for outdoor preservation. “This essential funding will directly benefit the environment and communities where our customers live, work, and adventure,” said Cara Wilson, B Corp Two For The Trails Manager at Athletic. This year, the program not only strives to enhance the environment but also focuses on facilitating equitable access to these outdoor areas for everyone.

The idea behind the Two For The Trails program stems from Athletic's co-founder, Bill Shufelt, who believes in celebrating outdoor adventures with a toast of two brews. This personal connection translates into company-wide efforts to safeguard the natural landscapes their customers frequently enjoy, making this initiative particularly meaningful.

Starting in 2024, all grant recipients will need to be registered non-profit organizations focused on outdoor conservation and maintenance projects. Notifications regarding grantees were sent in November, with the planning phases already underway. Non-profit organizations interested in participating in the upcoming 2025 grant funding opportunity can find more information on Athletic's website, with applications expected to open in summer 2025.

This ambitious program showcases Athletic Brewing Company's commitment to their mission—not just to create excellent non-alcoholic beers but also to actively support communities and protect the treasured outdoor spaces we all cherish.